A Note From Patrick: June 2020

“Cruelty cannot stand the spotlight.” That was the tagline for The Ark Trust, an organization which awarded the media for reporting on animal issues. I have been thinking about those words a lot lately. I am buoyed by recent events bringing so much injustice to light — while deeply saddened that these injustices exist. I feel optimistic that a powerful awakening is coming.

MUTTS readers have an abundance of empathy and a deep sense of justice. We are all in this together to make a stronger, more peaceful world for all.

***

MUTTS NEWS SPOILER ALERT: If you’d rather be surprised with a new twist in the world of MUTTS, please don’t read the following two paragraphs until after June 16.

Friends, I’ve made two longstanding promises with my MUTTS strip. The first: someday Guard Dog will be freed. (Yes, this will happen before too long.) The second: Butchie and his Fatty Snax Deli would go veggie. With a two-week storyline starting Sunday, Butchie will finally see the light.

As a vegetarian for over 30 years and a vegan since 2012, I’ve always felt a little strange drawing the cheeses and salamis that hang over Butchie’s head. I’m feeling better because they will now be plant-based and cruelty-free.

With the pandemic, and understanding the cruelties of raising and processing “meat,” it’s more important than ever to rethink how we treat the animals — and people — on this planet. Going plant-based is a win-win. It’s good for your own health, the health of the planet, and obviously the billions of suffering, factory farmed animals.

Going veggie gets easier and easier. (Millions have already discovered new, delicious meat substitutes.) I ask everyone to do what you can. Even observing Meatless Mondays can save a billion animals each year in the United States alone. If Butchie can do it, so can you.

***

Last month we posted two comic strips that I drew for the MUTTS blog, which were pandemic-themed and written by my friend, author Glen David Gold. Glen suggested that we auction off one of the strips for charity, and I am happy that we can, and will, make this happen. I’ve watercolored the original artwork for this purpose and Heritage Auctions has agreed to host the auction. We’ll keep you updated as this process unfolds.

Stay safe. Stay well. Stay kind.

— Patrick

— Patrick McDonnell
Tagged: News & Events, People

Comments (208)

As an obligate carnivore, Mooch the cat MUST eat meat. Earl the dog can exist but won’t thrive without meat. How will Patrick handle this biological reality? On a side note, comic strips should be a relief from daily politics, and should avoid becoming too preachy and one-sided.

Kimberly

I have mixed feelings. To me, a butcher shop is all about meat. It can include non-meat products, too. I don’t like the “either he has meat or he doesn’t.” There could be an in between. However, I am a believer that an artist must be free to express whatever his/her heart feels. Isn’t that one of the core issues of being an artist? So, of course I will continue to be an enthusiastic reader of the Daily Mutts. I’ve tried to spread the word by send certain strips to friends. I sent the new “vegan” Butchie strip to my vegan friend. I’ll never be a total vegan/vegetarian. But I eat very little beef, pork or ham. Mostly poultry and fish. And try for meatless meals once a week.

As for people’s actions during this epidemic, I’ve been so pleased to see shelters being emptied of animals, with adoptions up 200 percent, I read somewhere. Dogs and cats are the best. Life on this planet would be much, much sadder without them. I think they were put here for a reason. And we owe it to them, to treat them with respect. So, you go, Patrick. I’ll always be a fan.

Baku

God tells us to eat meat, it is right in scripture when Noah leaves the ark. Also, if we all ate only plants the world would be over run by animals and we would in the end all starve to death for there would not be enough food to go around. Last do not believe the hype or Patrick (sorry Patrick) but there is enough scientific proof that these new plant based foods at least the ones that pretend to be meat are NOT healthy for you. And by eating just plants or worse going vegan I hope you are prepared to take a lot of pills for you do not and can not get all the nutrition you need from plants alone – as stated God made it that we should and need to eat meat. I also agree with Kimberly – comics are meant to be an escape from real life politics. Though I was glad to read that guard dog would be set free.

Michael Trainor

Many of us cannot eat soy and one is hard-pressed to find plant based products that do not include it. I do buy locally sourced humanely raised beef, chicken and eggs whenever possible. Please do not meat shame me.

Claudia Sieverling

Thank you so much for this change! I was expecting it for a while :)

Ana

I am wondering if you could find a way to include the workers in these death factories who are mostly immigrants and vulnerable to Covid infections.? Their stories are horrible and they probably have furry children who miss them too.

Thank you for all you do. You make every day more joyous. I am wrestling with cancer right now. Earl and Mooch are part of my support team

Gloria Nieto

Congratulations Butchie! I would be a new customer if I could enter the world of Mutts.

Barbara Lamb

Cats are carnivores. How do you deal with intend to deal with that in MUTTS?

Margaret S Garten

Thank you so much Patrick! This means a lot to us vegetarians and vegans, and a chance to share your work on social media and hopefully open some more hearts.

Melanie Ross

Thank you, Patrick, you are a role model. We hope to enjoy your Mooch and Mutts for years and years xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Sharon A Krill